EL AL | Atmosphere

Check-in I Passport Control

When were you last abroad? “Last July I played at the Tomorrowland Festival, a giant electro-dance festival that takes place each year in Belgium. I performed in front of thousands of people and proudly waved the Israeli flag on stage. I felt prouder than ever, to be there this year and represent our country with honor”. What’s your favorite kind of vacation? “I prefer sunny places. I love going on beach holidays in places like Thailand, Cyprus, Cape Town, or Brazil “. What do you always pack with you? “I always take the copy of the Book of Psalms my mom gave me 25 years ago”. What’s the first thing you do when you arrive at your destination? “I go looking for some local food to try”. What would you never do when abroad? “I don’t eat sketchy-looking street food”. Most memorable travel experience? “When I played at the Tomorrowland Festival a few months ago, in spite of the festival’s strict rules about bringing up politics on stage, I decided to speak in Hebrew during the show and wave the Israeli flag and the Nova music festival flag. At one point, an audience member who was wounded in the war and is now in a wheelchair - himself also waving an Israeli flag - was lifted up in the air by other audience members. I got so emotional. I’ll never forget that moment which captured the dissonance between the immense pain of what our people are going through since October 7, and our unlimited pride and strength. We will never stop dancing”. Any destination recommendations? “Thailand. To me it’s like the ultimate spa for the body and soul”. Where do you dream of going? “I’ve been to all the places I dreamt of going to. I’m not a dreamer, I’m a doer. But I can’t wait to go to Japan again – I’m flying there next month for my annual tour. There’s a unique charm to Japan and the Japanese people. I’ve been there many times over the years“.

“There’s a unique charm to Japan, I can’t wait to go there again” What does he pack in his suitcase, what got him emotional at the Tomorrowland Festival, and where does he dream of going? DJ and international music producer Asher Swissa, aka Skazi, shows us his passport

Asher Swissa (49) is engaged to his girlfriend, has two children and a dog. He is a DJ and electronic music producer who proudly represents Israel around the world. He started his techno project “Asher Swissa” three years ago. Since the beginning of the war, Swissa has been performing pro bono for soldiers at army bases across Israel, including at the Gaza border. He was one of the first Israeli nightlife figures to participate in Israel’s international advocacy effort and regularly volunteers at the “Ezra Lemarpe” association.

16 ATMOSPHERE OCTOBER 2024

Photos: from Asher Swissa’s personal album; (Tomorrowland Festival) Mushit Dayan